Bavarian Nordic committed 225,000 doses of its mpox vaccine to a global emergency reserve, adding donated and contracted supply to a mechanism intended to help countries respond to outbreaks.
The commitment comprises a donation of 75,000 doses and a newly awarded contract to supply 150,000 more, the company said Tuesday, Oct. 27. The vaccine is Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN). Bavarian Nordic gave no delivery timetable, recipient countries, contract value or financing details.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said the reserve initiative launched Aug. 27. It is coordinated by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, a WHO-hosted mechanism, with initial funding from Gavi. WHO said the reserve builds on the Access and Allocation Mechanism established in 2024. Gavi says the group also manages emergency vaccine reserves for yellow fever, meningitis, Ebola and cholera.
Gavi says any country can request doses, with requests assessed against outbreak conditions. Countries eligible for Gavi support receive vaccines free; other countries must reimburse the cost. Gavi says the stockpile may also signal continuing demand to manufacturers and help support reliable supply.
Hitesh Sahni, Bavarian Nordic’s senior vice president, public preparedness, said, “Infectious diseases do not stop at borders, and communities need timely access to protection when outbreaks occur.” WHO’s ICG page says work to put the stockpile into operation is under way.
